The adopted

Foreword

thank you to everyone who inspired me to write this story. Thank you to www.freeimageslive.com for the cover photo and most of all thank you to: the writers' crib

Chapter I

'How does she keep doing that', Jason muttered to himself under his breath, losing to Melanie for the third time in a row. 'It's just skill', she said as she looked playfully into his eye, grinning, one eyebrow raised. Composing himself, he let out a well-meaned 'Well played, Mel.' he continued talking as he walked towards the door, sarcastically saying'I really have to stop playing chess with you' he left the room and headed upstairs. His bed creaked as he slumped onto it, exhausted and beat. He looked around his room and he caught a glimpse of his favourite possession, the stuffed toy that his mother had given him when he was a young boy. It was tattered and missing an eye, the result of many years of use, but that didn't matter to him. It was the only thing he had left of his mother, as she had been killed in a car accident when he was a seven year old boy. He had been at a friend's house when his dad called, and said that he had to come home immediately because he had bad news. When he entered the brownstone he had a feeling that something was off, he just didn't know what. he found his father sobbing in the kitchen, a half empty bottle of beer in his hand. 'She.. she's gone','Who's gone daddy?'. His father had explained what happened. Jason ran upstairs and cried his heart out. He cried until there were no tears left. From that moment on Jason was a different person, more serious, depressed and most important of all angry, a feeling that he had retained throughout the years. Anger for the people who did this. Jason quickly diverted his eyes from the stuffed toy and stared blankly into space. Trying to forget, wanting to be a different person. Slowly his mind drifted and he fell asleep. 'Jason, someone's here to adopt!' Melanie said urgently, trying to wake him up. 'It's no use Mel, no one wants to adopt me.' He said as he turned away. 'I will not let you sit here and feel bad about yourself. Please.... for me?'. Jason decided that he had nothing to lose except for a few hours of sleep and with a slight smile he said:'Fine Mel, because you asked so kindly'. Melanie smiled and Jason got out of bed, quickly getting dressed. 'Jason, hurry!' he heard from the other side of the door to his room 'I haven't got all day!'. Jason walked towards the door and repeated in his head what Melanie always told him:'Don't do anything dumb, smile and most important of all: be yourself'. He opened the door and Melanie cheerfully commented:'You look halfway decent in that outfit, let's go'. They walked down the stairs and they saw the couple that wanted to adopt as well as twelve other kids hanging around them.'Mel, do I have to?' he said, almost certain that nothing good would come from this. 'Yes, you have to' she said as she winked and confidently strode towards the couple. They seemed kind enough, sharing an aura of loveliness, smiling and talking to the children. The man had short blonde hair, brilliant blue eyes and was wearing a suit that seemed too wide for him, caused by his skinny figure. The lady was stunning, her hair was a dark shade of blonde, her complexion fair and her eyes mint green like the dress she was in. The dress was silken, complementing her figure and had a streak of ruffles going diagonally across the body. Jason estimated them to be around 35 years old. His train of thoughts was interrupted when he heard Melanie talking. 'Hi, I'm Melanie, glad to meet you'. 'Glad to meet you too dear' the woman replied, 'My name is Rosalee and this is Caspar, we are the Robinson's. I'm happy to see that there are also older children in this house, how old are you exactly?'. Melanie was surprised by the question but quickly answered:' I have just turned sixteen.' Jason decided to listen for a little while longer, but he didn't get that opportunity as Melanie signaled for him to come. As he got there, the Caspar was the first to react:' Ah, a fine young lad i see, what is your name?'. Jason struggled to find the right words, surprised by the man's calm demeanor and the friendliness in his voice. 'I.. I am Jason, and uhm... I am Melanie's best friend, glad to-'. He was cut off by Caspar who suddenly asked whether Melanie and Jason would excuse them for a moment. Melanie and Jason waited until they were a good distance away before talking to one another.'Well, that was awkward' Melanie said 'what do you think they're doing?'. 'I have no clue' Jason admitted. Some time passed and the duo saw Rosalee and Caspar walking towards them. 'Oh look there they are!' Melanie cheered. 'We are considering adopting the two of you, I know it seems rash, but we still have our visits to decide' Rosalee stated. Jason said nothing, in shock of the mere idea of being adopted. It was Melanie who was the first to respond. 'Just like that? Don't you want to get to know us first or something' Melanie was also clearly baffled by the prospect of adoption. Jason chipped in and for once he could find the right words 'I think what Melanie is trying to say is that we are very grateful and we would gladly accept'. It was a rarity in and of itself, older children being adopted. Usually only the babies and the young get adopted. 'Well then, we should plan our scheduled visits, no?' Caspar suggested and smiled at the two